Clonal Evolution Including Partial Loss of Human Leukocyte Antigen Genes Favoring Extramedullary Acute Myeloid Leukemia Relapse After Matched Related Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

Abstract

These results suggest that the loss of HLA class I haplotype also occurs in AML relapse after HLA-matched related HSCT. Partial loss of several HLA class I genes and subsequent reduced presentation of minor histocompatibility antigens and reduced ligation of activating natural killer-cell receptors may explain the loss of graft-versus-leukemia response and extramedullary AML relapse in tissue with reduced immunologic surveillance.